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Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders pp 564–566Cite as

Cerebrospinal Fluid

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Synonyms

CSF; Spinal fluid

Definition

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) is a clear, colorless liquid with the consistency of water that fills the ventricular system and subarachnoid spaces around the brain and spinal cord. It is produced primarily by the ependymal cells in the choroid plexus and is absorbed via vesicular transport in the arachnoid villi. The production and absorption of CSF are continuous processes that normally occur at equal rates. These processes lead to the complete replacement of the total volume of CSF approximately three times a day. The circulation of CSF is also continuous. The direction of flow is from the lateral ventricles through the cerebral aqueduct, out either the foramina of Luschka or the foramen of Magendie, and downward posterior to the spinal cord. It then flows upward, anterior to the spinal cord and over the cerebral cortex.

CSF Composition

The CSF is sampled via lumbar puncture and is assayed to provide information relevant to diagnosis,...

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References and Readings

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224, USA

    Dr. Keith A. Coffman

  2. Pediatrics and Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, 4401 Penn Avenue, CHP, 6 FP Division of Child Neurology, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Dr. Miya Asato

Authors
  1. Dr. Keith A. Coffman
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  2. Dr. Miya Asato
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Keith A. Coffman .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Psychology Yale University School of Medicine, Chief, Child Psychiatry Children's Hospital at Yale-New Haven Child Study Center, New Haven, CT, USA

    Fred R. Volkmar (Director, Child Study Center) (Director, Child Study Center)

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Coffman, K.A., Asato, M. (2013). Cerebrospinal Fluid. In: Volkmar, F.R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_665

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